Parish is left frustrated by Hibs defeat
Another sickener for gutted goalkeeper men
ST JoHnSTonE .................... 0 HIBERnIan ............................ 1
It is hard not to feel for Elliott Parish.
The St Johnstone goalkeeper has produced two impressive displays in the space of four days, yet has no clean sheet to show for it.
On Thursday a deflected strike eight minutes from time ruined his evening and on Sunday a last-gasp penalty scuppered his shutout.
Parish cut, understandably, a very frustrated figure when speaking to the PA in the immediate aftermath of the weekend’s 1-0 defeat against Hibernian in Perth.
Stevie Mallan’s 91st minute spot-kick had not long ago smashed into the back of his net after a bit of argy-bargy in the box which saw Liam Gordon punished.
While the big defender was undeniably guilty of using his hands forcefully, it appeared he was pushed first.
Saints had earlier in the game been on the receiving end of a woeful decision from the assistant referee who ruled out a Callum Hendry header for offside.
He quite clearly was not and, when Parish reflected back on the match, it added further salt to the wound.
“We’ve had a goal which was onside and maybe a suspect penalty decision,” said Parish. “After Thursday, this is such a sickener.
“It doesn’t get worse than that and it is such a bad feeling. To have the goal disallowed and then for that to happen at the end is just absolutely incredible.
“From what the boys were saying the penalty was rather harsh.
“There is a lot of frustration and you can probably tell. But we’ll get back at it and it will be a thing of the past.
“The only thing we can do now is pick ourselves up. We’ve got a big game on Saturday before a little break.
“We just need to go and win that.”
Experienced Liam Craig will miss the St Mirren match this weekend after he was sent off for voicing his frustration at referee John Beaton.
His first yellow arrived when arguing over the penalty award before receiving a second for continuing to remonstrate after the final whistle.
Even when you take away the offside blooper and penalty decision, Saints still should never have lost this game.
In the second half especially,
Callum Davidson’s players showed real intent to get the ball forward and carved out numerous promising openings.
Michael O’Halloran was the Perth side’s star, not simply for his threat in the attacking department but also for his determined defensive work.
For Parish, he again looked solid between the posts and is giving his manager a decision to make when last season’s No.1 Zander Clark returns from injury.
Parish told the PA: “I feel like I’m contributing. But my thoughts are that it should have been three clean sheets on the bounce and a few extra points.
“We’re playing well at the back and should be keeping clean sheets. You want those clean sheets as a reward for the defender or goalkeeper.
“I came in last year with Tommy Wright and was the No.2 goalkeeper.
“With a new manager I’ve got the chance to give him a question to think about.
“When big Zander is back it will be lovely to fight for the shirt with him.”
Michael o’Halloran showed how much of an asset he can be, displaying pace and power throughout. all that was missing was a goal. always an option up the right flank and another solid show with his defending. Loan man Danny Mcnamara has settled very well.
Skipper Jason Kerr was solid in the air and very strong in the tackle. Deserved a clean sheet and was gutted at the end.